Genetically Modified Food

Why It's Unacceptable And How It's Effecting us

Genetically Modified Food

Why It's Unacceptable And How It's Effecting us

What Is Genetically Modified Food?

Genetically modified food or GMF are foods produced from beings that have had changes introduced into their genes using the methods of genetic modification as opposed to traditional cross breeding

How Is It Effecting Us?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are food crops that have been engineered to increase yields, hardiness and resistance to herbicides. This genetic engineering creates plant, animal and bacteria food groups that do not occur in nature. There is much controversy over the issue of GMO safety and while the scientific debate is ongoing, many concur that GMOs may have adverse effects on health.

One key concern about GMOs is that they have been deemed "safe" based solely on animal studies. Dietician Carole Bartolotto rites "The point is, if an animal study does not find harm with a particular substance, it could still cause harm in humans."

According to theInstitute For Responsible Technology, "Human studies show how genetically modified (GM) food can leave material behind inside us, possibly causing long-term problems. Genes inserted into GM soy, for example, can transfer into the DNA of bacteria living inside us, and that the toxic insecticide produced by GM corn was found in the blood of pregnant women and their unborn fetuses."

Here are four ways that GMOs may adversely affect health:

1.Food allergy - According to the Organic Consumers Association, "The list of GM food products intersect with the eight most common food allergens: eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat." OCA states that protein in foods is what triggers allergic reactions and "most of the foreign proteins being gene-spliced into foods have never been eaten by humans before or tested for their safety."

2. Toxicity- "A review of 19 studies (including industry's own studies submitted to regulators in support of applications to commercialise GM crops) on mammals fed with commercialised GM soy and maize that are already in our food and feed chain found consistent toxic effects on the liver and kidneys," reports GMeducation.

3. Infertility - According to the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, "There is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects." In a study on GM corn and fertility there was a "significant decrease in offspring over time and significantly lower litter weight in mice fed GM corn."

4. Gluten Disorders- In a 2013 report released by theInstitute for Responsible Technology, internist Emily Linder MD states, "Based on my clinical experience, when I remove genetically modified foods as part of the treatment for gluten sensitivity, recovery is faster and more complete. I believe that GMOs in our diet contribute to the rise in gluten sensitivity in the U.S. population."

Facts

GMF's Are Not New!

GM technology has been around for the past 20 years, and today, 70-80% of the foods we eat in the US both at home and away from home, contain ingredients that have been genetically modified to meet our basic needs of food!

What About Every Day Food?

Surprisingly a lot of our food that we eat in our every day life has been genetically modified, right now around 92% of the US corn has been genetically modified, so is 94% of soybeans. It has also been estimated that 75% of processed foods on supermarket shelves--from soda to soup, crackers to condiments--contain genetically modified ingredients!

GMF's Are Not New!

GM technology has been around for the past 20 years, and today, 70-80% of the foods we eat in the US both at home and away from home, contain ingredients that have been genetically modified to meet our basic needs of food!

What About Every Day Food?

Surprisingly a lot of our food that we eat in our every day life has been genetically modified, right now around 92% of the US corn has been genetically modified, so is 94% of soybeans. It has also been estimated that 75% of processed foods on supermarket shelves--from soda to soup, crackers to condiments--contain genetically modified ingredients!